While new members of parliament and senators are in the process of moving into their electorate and parliamentary offices, the weeks after the election have been a time of reflection and new horizons for those who have chosen to leave Parliament (or had the decision made for them by their party or by voters).
Former member for Indi Sophie Mirabella is doing public relations for mining magnate Gina Rinehart, while some former ministers have found work in the areas they were responsible for while in government. At the end of the 44th Parliament, an unusually large of MPs chose to resign. And the swing against the government — and purge of the Senate — left a long list of former elected representatives trying to find their way outside the Canberra bubble (well, some are staying in it, but more on that later).
This list is a work in progress, and we’ll add to it as we find out more about what pollies are doing in their lives out of the spotlight. You can help us — by emailing or sending a tip off — if you encounter a former MP in your business sphere (or if you are a former MP and want to give your new gig a plug).
MPs of the 44th Parliament and their new jobs
Bruce Billson
Former minister for small business Bruce Billson brought an incredible amount of enthusiasm to his portfolio and has brought that to his life after politics. Billson is now chair of the Franchise Council of Australia.
Andrew Robb
Former trade minister Andrew Robb has taken up a role on the board of Channel Ten, representing Gina Rinehart on the TV channel’s board. He’s also joined Moelis & Company, an investment bank, where it’s been reported that he will focus on doing deals with China. Robb was instrumental in pushing through Australia’s free trade deal with China, so he will have one-of-a-kind insight for the role. He’s also advising a healthcare start-up based in Geelong, called CNSDose.
Philip Ruddock
After a marathon career in politics, and at the ripe old age of 72, former immigration minister and attorney-general Philip Ruddock hasn’t devoted himself completely to gardening or stamp collecting, but instead was appointed Special Envoy for Human Rights to the United Nations. When announcing the appointment, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said: “As special envoy, Mr Ruddock will focus on advancing Australia’s human rights priorities of good governance, freedom of expression, gender equality, the rights of indigenous peoples, and national human rights institutions.” Ruddock’s job will involve campaigning for Australia to become a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2018-20 term.
Peter Hendy
After losing the seat of Eden-Monaro, key member of Malcolm Turnbull’s team of plotters Peter Hendy has found himself straight back in the halls of Parliament. Hendy has been employed as the Prime Minister’s chief economist. Hendy lost the seat of Eden-Monaro on July 2, ending the electorate’s bellwether status. His home in Queanbeyan was the location of a meeting where Turnbull supporters plotted and did the numbers before last year’s leadership spill.
Jamie Briggs
After losing the seat of Mayo to his former staffer (and now the Nick Xenophon Team’s first lower house MP) Rebekha Sharkie, Jamie Briggs has set up shop as a business consultant. As reported in the Australian Financial Review, Briggs has set up Devonshire Advisory in Adelaide and expects to start work in September.
Nova Peris
After announcing that she would not be seeking to continue her place in the Senate, former athlete and Labor senator Nova Peris was in contention for a senior role at the AFL, but she missed out on that gig to indigenous rights campaigner Tanya Hosch. Instead Peris has ended up with the Victorian government, on a 12-month contract with the Department of Health and Human Services to boost participation in sport among Aboriginal children.
Alannah MacTiernan
She’s out of federal politics, but Alannah MacTiernan is not done with public service yet. The former Labor MP wants to return to her roots in Western Australian Parliament, running as the replacement for retiring North Metropolitan MLC Ken Travers.
Wyatt Roy
The former assistant minister for innovation has landed himself a gig in fintech (financial services technology, for those allergic to startup scene jargon). He’s now an independent director of proposed fintech fund H2Ocean.
Ricky Muir
Muir’s returned to his roots (pun unintended) and bought a timber mill in East Gippsland. Canningvale Timber will be renamed Muir Timber as Ricky and his wife run the operation as a family business.
This list is a work in progress. If you know where the following MPs have ended up in their professional lives, let us know.
Bob Baldwin, Bronwyn Bishop, Mal Brough, Anna Burke, John Cobb, Laurie Ferguson, Teresa Gambaro, Gary Gray, Alan Griffin, Jill Hall, Ian Macfarlane, Clive Palmer, Melissa Parke, Bernie Ripoll, Bruce Scott, Andrew Southcott, Sharman Stone, Kelvin Thomson, Warren Truss, Andrew Nikolic, Ewen Jones, Brett Whiteley, Luke Simpkins, Matt Williams, Fiona Scott, Eric Hutchinson, Russell Matheson, Louise Markus, Natasha Griggs, Dennis Jensen, Bill Heffernan, Jan McLucas, Joe Bullock, Joe Ludwig, Glenn Lazarus, Dio Wang, Richard Colbeck, Robert Simms, John Madigan, Anne McEwen, David Johnston, Sean Edwards, Joanna Lindgren, Michael Ronaldson
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